Poetry Readings

The First Presbyterian Church of Huron and its Nurture and Mission Committee maintain a poetry mission focused on the exchange of Christian and secular poetry.  The poetry initiative has provided opportunities for church member poets and community area poets to share their creative talents in an audience venue.

Created by Huron Poet Laureate and author, Ronald M. Ruble, readings are offered two times a year and held in the Parlor of the church on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. Refreshments and live music are added features of these readings.

For more information contact Ron Ruble at 419-433-3820, or the church office at 419-433-5018.

Poetry Reading History

APRIL 30, 2023

TOPIC: “Poetry Rhythms”

READERS: Daniel Ryu, Casey Wittmer, Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate), Nancy Smith, Rob Smith (Huron Poet Laureate), Gerry Bauer, Sara Hodsden, Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laureate)

MUSIC BY: Kimberly Ryu, Daniel Ryu, and Walter Baughman

DECEMBER 11, 2022

TOPIC: “Bits & Pieces of Life”

FEATURED READER: Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laureate)

READERS: Daniel Ryu, Francesca Lendrum, Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate), Nancy Smith, Rob Smith (Huron Poet Laureate), Bill Gassett, Donna Gassett, and Sara Hodsden

MUSIC BY: Kimberly Ryu, Daniel Ryu, and Donna Gassett

APRIL 24, 2022

TOPIC: “Living Poetry”

FEATURED READER: Larry Smith (Huron Poet Laureate)

READERS: Laura Pearson, Gerry Bauer, Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate), Nancy Smith, Casey Wittmer, Francesca Lendrum, Rob Smith (Huron Poet Laureate), Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laurate)

MUSIC BY: Kimberly Ryu and Daniel Ryu

OCTOBER 24, 2021

TOPIC: “The Magic of Poetry”

READERS: Daniel Ryu, Casey Wittmer, Gerry Bauer, Nancy Smith, Gary Harmon, Laura Pearson, Rob Smith (Huron Poet Laureate), Mike Sudsina, Sam Heffler, Eileen Darby, Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate), Francesca Lendrum, Bill Lucht, Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laureate)

MUSIC BY: Kimberly Ryu, Daniel Ryu, & Donna Gassett

APRIL 25, 2021

FEATURED READER: Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate)

READERS: Daniel Ryu, Casey Wittmer, Gerry Bauer, Nancy Smith, Gary Harmon, Laura Pearson, Rob Smith (Huron Poet Laureate), & Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laureate)

MUSIC BY: Kimberly Ryu, Annabelle Ryu, & Daniel Ryu

October 25, 2020

This reading is available to be enjoyed online.  Please click  here to watch.

April 26, 2020In honor of National Poetry Month

                                                                                                                                                                                ***Reading cancelled because of Corona Virus Pandemic***

October 20, 2019

TOPIC:  “VOICES IN POETRY”

READERS:  Huron Poets Laureate Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Joel Rudinger, and Bob Reynolds. They were joined by Huron area poets Mary Ann Bencivengo, Nancy Smith, K. C. Wittmer, Laura Pearson, Eileen Wikel Darby, Jerry Bauer, and Gary Harmon.

MUSIC:  Kimberly, Annabelle, and Daniel Ryu

April 28, 2019 – In honor of National Poetry Month

TOPIC: “Important Moments”

Bob Reynolds

FEATURED POET: Poetry of Bob Reynolds, current Huron Poet Laureate

ADULT READERS: Eileen Wikel Darby, Laura Pearson, Nancy Smith, Rob Smith, KC Wittmer, Jerry Bauer, Mila Kette, Bill Lucht, and Ron Ruble

Eileen Wikel Darby

October 21, 2018

TOPIC: “Words & Images”

FEATURED POETS: Huron Poets Laureate Joel Rudinger and Ron Ruble

ADULT READERS: Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Bill Gassett, Laura Pearson, and KC Wittmer.

MUSIC: Special violin performance by Alice Weiss (plays for Firelands Symphony Orchestra and the Sandusky String Quartet) accompanied by violinists Annabelle Ryu and Daniel Ryu

APRIL 29, 2018 – In honor of National Poetry Month

TOPIC: ‘The Poet’s Muse”

FEATURED READERS: Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Laura Pearson, Ron Ruble, Nancy Smith, Rob Smith, and KC Wittmer

October 22, 2017

TOPIC: “The Future of Poetry-5”

FEATURED YOUTH READERS: Annabelle Ryu, Daniel Ryu,
and Kevin Zhao

ADULT READERS: Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby,
KC Wittmer, Hugh Hanes, Ron Ruble, Joel Rudinger,
Nancy Darby Smith,  and Rob Smith

MUSIC: Janis Brewer and Kimberly, Annabelle and Daniel Ryu

April 30, 2017  – In honor of National Poetry Month

TOPIC: “My World”

FEATURING Larry Smith, Rob Smith, Ron Ruble and Joel Rudinger, Huron’s Poets Laureate

ALSO READING: Eileen Wikel Darby, KC Wittmer,
Nancy Smith,  & Laura Pearson

 MUSIC: Janis Brewer, Joel Stevenor, Kimberly, Annabelle and Daniel Ryu

November 13, 2016

TOPIC: “THE FUTURE OF POETRY – 4”

FEATURED YOUTH READERS:  Matthew Toldy, Annabelle Ryu, Daniel Ryu, Sam Toldy, Dan Toldy, Eugenie Kim, and Ji Woo Kim.

ADULT READERS:  Margaret Swords, Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Clair Brewer, KC Wittmer, George Toldy, and Ron Ruble

MUSIC:  Janis Brewer, Kimberly, Annabelle and Daniel Ryu, Eugenie Kim, and Yeoreum Kim.

September 18, 2016

TOPIC: “Cycles”

FEATURED READER: Huron’s first Poet Laureate Larry Smith

ADULT READERS: Rob Smith, Nancy Smith, Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, KC Wittmer, and Ron Ruble

MUSIC: Janis Brewer, Kimberly, Annabelle and Daniel Ryu, Eugenie Kim, and Larry Smith

April 24, 2016 (in honor of National Poetry Month)

TOPIC: “The Poet’s Pen”

FEATURED READER:  Huron Poet Laureate and publisher Rob Smith

ADULT READERS: Eileen Wikel Darby, Laura Pearson, Bob Reynolds, Jerry Bauer, KC Wittmer, Ron Ruble, and Nancy Smith

MUSIC: Janis Brewer, Kimberly, Annabelle, and Daniel Ryu

February 21, 2016

TOPIC:  “On This Day”

FEATURED READER:  Huron Poet Laureate Joel Rudinger reading from his new book, “Symphonia Judaica”

ADULT READERS:  Bob Reynolds, Eileen Wikel Darby, Jerry Bauer, KC Wittmer, Ron Ruble, Laura Pearson, Rob Smith, Nancy Smith

MUSIC:  Janis Brewer, Kimberly, Annabelle, and Daniel Ryu

November 15, 2015

TOPIC: “The Future of Poetry – 3”

DSCN2240

FEATURED YOUTH READERS: Grace Moser, Matthew Toldy, Annabelle Ryu, Ava Moser, Samuel Toldy, Daniel Toldy, and Daniel Ryu

ADULT READERS: Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Laura Pearson, Ron Ruble, Jane Stevenor, and KC Wittmer.

DSCN2252MUSIC:  Janis Brewer, Kimberly Ryu, Annabelle Ryu, and Danny Ryu

September 20, 2015

TOPIC: “Memories”

FEATURED READERS: Joel Rudinger & Ron Ruble, present and past Huron Poets Laureate

ADULT READERS:  Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel Darby, and Jane Stevenor

MUSIC:  A “Down Memory Lane” sing-a-long led by Jann Graham Glann

 April 26, 2015 (in honor of National Poetry Month)

TOPIC:  “Changes”

FEATURED READER:  Laura Pearson

READERS:  Jerry Bauer, Sarah Blakeman, Alea Dahnke, Eileen Wikel Darby, Jo Homyak, Joel Rudinger, Danny Ryu, Ron Ruble, KC Wittmer

MUSIC: Kimberly, Annabelle, and Danny Ryu

SPECIAL GUESTS: The Huron Study Club

February 22, 2015

TOPIC:  “Hope and Awakenings”

READERS:  Jerry Bauer, Cynthia Brown, Eileen Wikel Darby,
Ron Ruble, KC Wittmer

MUSIC: Janis Brewer, Jann Graham Glann, Kimberly Ryu

November 9, 2014

TOPIC:   “Future of Poetry-2”

Recital 6_0

FEATURED READER:  Youth: Abigail Murray,
Mate Toldy, and Annabelle Ryu

READERS:  Jerry Bauer, Laura Pearson, Ron Ruble, Eileen Wikel Darby, KC Wittmer, Ann Marie Montgomery

Recital 2

MUSIC:   Janis Brewer, Kimberly Ryu, Annabelle Ryu,
Danny Ryu

September 21, 2014

 TOPIC:  “Self in Verse”

FEATURED READER:  Jerry Bauer
READERS:  Joel Rudinger, Laura Pearson,
KC  Wittmer, Eileen Wikel Darby,
Mary Ann Bencivengo, Jann Glann. Ron Ruble
MUSIC:   Janis Brewer and Kimberly Ryu

April 27, 2014 (in honor of National Poetry Month)

TOPIC:  “Potluck Poetry”

FEATURED READER:   Ron Ruble (Huron Poet Laureate)

READERS:  Eileen Wikel Darby, KC Wittmer,
Nancy Smith, Rob Smith, Ann Marie Montgomery

MUSIC:   Janis Brewer, Carol Mason, and Kimberly Ryu

February 23, 2014

 TOPIC:   “On A Whim”

FEATURED READER:  Joel Rudinger (Huron Poet Laureate)
READERS:   Bob Reynolds, Jerry Bauer, Rob Smith,
Nancy Smith, KC Wittmer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Ron Ruble
MUSIC:  Janis Brewer and Kimberly Ryu

November 10, 2013

TOPIC:  “The Future of Poetry”

future

FEATURED READERS:   Cassie Battiste, Nathon Hoty,
Andrea Kaman, Abby Murray, Annabelle Ryu, and Danny Ryu
READERS: Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Joel Rudinger, KC Wittmer, Eileen Wikel Darby, Nancy Smith, Ann Marie Montgomery, an Laura Pearson
MUSIC:  Kimberly Ryu, Janis Brewer, and Jann Glann

September 22, 2013

Topic – “Poetry and Music”

Featured Reader – Larry Smith, Huron Poet Laureate

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Bob Reynolds,
KC Wittmer, Jerry Bauer, Nancy Smith, Brad Blackwell

Music – Janis Brewer, Kimberly Ryu, Larry Smith

June 23, 2013

Topic – “Words Walk”

Featured Reader – Ron Ruble, Huron Poet Laureate

Book SigningWords Walk

April 28, 2013 (in honor of National Poetry Month)

Topic – “Potpouri – A Collection of Poems”

Featured Reader – KC Wittmer

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Bob Reynolds,
Jerry Bauer, Eileen Wikel, Jim Brenner, and Brad Blackwell

Music – Kimberly Ryu

February 24, 2013

Topic – “Story Poetry”

Featured Reader – Eileen Wikel

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Brad Blackwell, Cynthia Brown,
KC Wittmer, Jim Brenner, 
Bob Reynolds

Music – Kimberly Ryu

October 21, 2012

Topic – “Thoughts through Poetry”

Featured Reader – Jim Brenner

Readers – Ron Ruble, Eileen Wikel, Brad Blackwell, Bob Reynolds, and KC Wittmer

Music – Jann Graham Glann

August 26, 2012

Topic – “Words of the Music”

Featured Reader – Brad Blackwell

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, KC Wittmer, Eileen Wikel,
Jim Brenner, and Jerry Bauer

Music – Kimberly Ryu and Janis Brewer

May 27, 2012

Topic – “A Poetic Journey”

Featured Reader – Jerry Bauer

Readers – Ron Ruble, KC Wittmer, Eileen Wikel, and Bob Reynolds

April 25, 2012 (in honor of National Poetry Month)

Featured Reader – Bob Reynolds

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Jerry Bauer, Jim Brenner,
Eileen Wikel, and KC Wittmer

October 2, 2011

Topic – “From the Pens of Students”

7th Grade Readers from Gwen Aber and Shannon Smith’s Language Arts classes at McCormick Middle School, Words Walk Initiative.

Parker Muntz  sang and played guitar for special music.

August 28, 2011

Topic – “The Great Outdoors”

Featured Reader – Ron Ruble, Huron Poet Laureate

Readers – Jerry Bauer, Rob Smith, Bob Reynolds, Gwen Aber, David Aber, John Blakeman, Jim Brenner, Wilma Daugherty, Eileen Wikel, and KC Wittmer

March 27, 2011

Topic – “Family”

Featured Reader – Rob Smith, Huron Poet Laureate

Readers – Ron Ruble, Wilma Daugherty, Eileen Wikel, Jerry Bauer, KC Wittmer, Gwen Aber, and David Aber

Music – Janis Brewer, Kimberly Ryu, and Joanna Phillips

November 8, 2010

Topic – “The Experience of Faith”

Readers – Rob Smith, Ron Ruble, Wilma Daugherty, KC Wittmer, Eileen Wikel, Gwen Aber

March 1, 2010

In honor of the 175th celebration year for the First Presbyterian Church

Readers – Ron Ruble, Eileen Wikel, KC Wittmer, Gwen Aber, and David Aber

Music – Janis Brewer, Jann Graham Glann,  and Kimberly Ryu

Refreshments – Fern DeLamatre and friends